Thereâ€™s no tackling in basketball!

January 9, 2012

Sometimes there's a notion basketball isn't a physical sport. However, try telling that to Anselmo-Merna basketball player Tyler Evans after he was brought down for a loss behind the...half-court line. Believe it or not a foul was not called and there was a jump ball. Photo by Deb Hostick

By

Dennis Driscoll, Sports Editor

Anselmo-Merna 49
Crawford 25

BRADY--The Anselmo-Merna Coyotes placed third at the Brady Invitational last weekend.
In the consolation match, A-M was matched up with the Crawford Rams and prevailed 49-25.
The Coyotes started the second quarter with a bang and led 18-6 after one quarter of action.
The Coyotes continued to out-work the Rams in the second quarter, outscoring the Rams 13-8, taking a 31-14 lead into the half.
The Coyotes came out of the intermission and continued to dominate the Rams. The Coyotes allowed just three points in the third quarter and would enter the fourth quarter with a commanding 43-17 lead. The 'Yotes continued to play inspired basketball in the fourth quarter and easily won 49-25.
The Coyotes used a balanced offensive scoring attack in their win.
Joseph Christen led A-M with 11 points, 10 rebounds and three assists.
Cole Geiser helped out with nine points, two rebounds and one assist.
Ryan Halouska contributed seven points and five rebounds. As a team, A-M shot 21-64 (63 percent) from the field, 5-13 (38.5 percent) from the charity strike.
The Coyotes out-rebounded Crawford by a margin of 38-28 and turned the ball over 17 times, compared to the 29 turnovers by Crawford.
The Coyotes clearly dominated this contest in the paint, outscoring the Eagles 24-4.

Wauneta-Palisade 49
Anselmo-Merna 41

BRADY--Wauneta-Palisade needed overtime to knock off the Coyotes 49-41 in the opening round of the Brady Invitational. The Broncos jumped out to an early first quarter lead, outscoring the Coyotes 10-2.
A-M and W-P both scored plenty of points in the second quarter, with the Broncos holding an 18-14 scoring advantage. Waunita-Palisade led 28-16 after one half of play.
The Coyotes battled back in second half.
A-M outscored the Broncos 10-7 in the third quarter and the Coyotes used a 13-4 fourth quarter to force overtime. However, the Broncos played great defense in overtime and outscored the Coyotes 10-2 to earn the win.
Christen led the 'Yotes with 22 points, seven rebounds and two assists.
Dusty Chandler contributed six points, three rebounds and two assists.
Tyler Evans helped out with four points and two rebounds.
The Coyotes shot 14-58 (24.1 percent) and were 10-20 (50 percent) from the charity strike.

Other tournament action:

Twin Loup captures Sandhills/Thedford Invite

Twin Loup 44
Sandhills/Thedford 36

DUNNING-- Twin Loup used a late defensive stand to hold off Sandhills/Thedford 44-36.
The Wolves were able to get off to a fast start against the Knights.
Twin Loup outscored S/T 11-6 in the first quarter and 10-6 in the second quarter and took a 21-12 lead into the intermission. The Wolves continued to play well in the third quarter, outscoring the Knights 11-7. The Knights were able to rally in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Wolves 17-12, but Twin Loup was able to hold on for the win and in the process captured the Sandhills/Thedford Holiday Tournament title.
Twin Loup Head Coach Mike Kozeal was impressed with the defensive play he saw from his squad.
"Our defensive play and rebounding were much improved," Kozeal said. "We also did a good job of taking care of the basketball and committed only nine turnovers.â€ť The leading scorer for the Wolves was Guy Fenske. Fenske scored a game high 26 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.
Kozeal was impressed with Fenske's contributions.
"Guy played very well on both ends of the court and led us to the win.â€ť
Also contributing for Twin Loup was Jack Gibbens with eight points, Tyke Kozeal helped out with four points and Ryan Mosier dumped in three points.
For Sandhills/Thedford, Cole Taylor led the team with 16 points, Tanner Drews contributed seven points and Ty Sierks helped out with four points.

Twin Loup 52
Arcadia 37

DUNNING--The Wolves used a strong second half to upend Arcadia in the first round of the Sandhills/Thedford Holiday Tournament.
Arcadia would jump out to a 17-14 first quarter lead, but that was the only lead the Huskies would see.The wolves battled back and outscored the Huskies 14-6 in the second quarter and would take a 28-23 lead into intermission.
The third quarter was evenly matched with Twin Loup holding a slight 12-10 scoring advantage.
However, it was in the fourth quarter when Twin Loup's depth proved to be too much for Arcadia.
The Wolves went on to outscore Arcadia 12-4 in the fourth quarter and close out the Huskies.
Coach Kozeal was pleased with Brandon Barker's first quarter play and team defense. "Barker played well for us in the first quarter," Kozeal said. "I was also pleased with our defense in the final three quarters, holding Arcadia to 20 points after scoring 17 in the first quarter."
Fenske was the leading scorer for the Wolves with 16 points.
Kozeal helped out with 13 points and Barker dumped in eight points.Robbie Ritz led Arcadia with 10 points.

Litchfield 56
Arcadia 36

DUNNING-- Litchfield quickly jumped out to a 17-11 first-quarter lead and didn't look back, routing Arcadia 56-36, clinching third place at the Sandhills/Thedford Holiday Tournament.
Tyson Howard was the leading scorer with 20 points for the Trojans and Brody Focken helped out with 10 points.
Matthew Quick was the leading scorer for Arcadia with nine points and Zach Lueck helped out with five points.

Sandhills/Thedford 51
Litchfield 47

DUNNING--Sandhills/Thedford dropped Litchfield 51-47 to win in the first round of the Sandhills/Thedford Holiday Tournament.
Cole Taylor was the leading scorer for the Knights with 18 points.
Ty Sierks helped out with nine points.
Leading the way for Litchfield was Howard with 17 points.

Pleasanton 34
SEM 31

ARAPAHOE--The SEM boys basketball team fell 34-31 in the opening round of the Arapahoe Holiday Tournament. Dillan Line was the leading scorer with 12 points.

Arapahoe 49
SEM 47

ARAPAHOE--The SEM boys basketball team lost a close 49-47 game against Arapahoe in the consolation game of the Arapahoe Holiday Tournament. Line led with 25 points.